As a result of the UFC’s dominance in the Relevant Markets and as part of its exclusionary scheme, the UFC imposes exclusivity provisions into its physical venue agreements that severely limit, and in some cases remove altogether, the ability of any would-be competitor to hold MMA events at premier venues in the U.S. For example, before and continuing through the Class Period, the UFC has intentionally inserted provisions into its agreements with event venues that prohibit the venues from staging live Elite Professional MMA events promoted by a would-be UFC rival promoter within a specified time either before or after a UFC event at the venue. Throughout the Class Period, the UFC has entered into such exclusionary provisions with top event venues along the Las Vegas Strip and elsewhere. Intending to shut out actual or potential rivals with these “black out” provisions in its venue contracts, the UFC has, for example, staggered its events in such venues along the Las Vegas Strip so that no would-be rival promoter can hold live Elite Professional MMA Promotions anywhere along the Las Vegas Strip—some of the most important and profitable venues for MMA events in the world. As a result of the UFC’s exclusionary conduct, competing MMA Promotions are therefore forced to use second-rate venues, thereby inhibiting their ability to promote successful and profitable events, sell tickets and merchandise, secure major television distribution outlets, attract Elite Professional MMA Fighters, and otherwise generate revenues from MMA events.
